To help you get an initial impression
of words, it helps to use memory tricks like the following
"associations." Say them ALOUD several times each, trying to
visualize or understand their "meaning." (These associations are
aimed at speakers of English; make up your own if you dont like
these.)

play
pollo for CHICKEN

TEA for the
tailor

does Pa
neighwhen he eats BREAD

father,
be voracious, PLEASE!

Now say the words to be learned ALOUD
several times.

pollo

tè

pane

favore

Test yourself until you know all
words studied. (It is best to use flash-cards with pictures as cues,
rather than English words.)

Step 1:
Word-Quiz

Translate each of
the following words.

1.
please

2.
bread

3.
chicken

4.
tea

One of the secrets of SI is to teach
only 5 or so words at a time: This is how many words can actually be
acquired well enough to speak with at any one time. (You can acquire
as many words as you want, even in one day, as long as you acquire
them 5 at a time.)

Step 2:
Pattern-Drill

Tè,
favore!

Practice this
sentence-pattern by saying your own sentences.

Put the words learned
together in a simple but communicatively adequate
sentence-pattern. Dont try to combine two things in
one sentence: Keep it simple and use two separate
sentences.

Of course, four words isn't
much. But if you learn five new words four times a week, you will
know 90 words in a month, and 300 in a semester - more than enough
to begin having conversations.

Step 3: Talk
now!

Imagine being in a
noisy restaurant. Order several things - in separate
sentences. Talk very loudly, or you won't be
heard!

Remember:

Talking is a
sport:
Practice doing it
smoothly.

COMPREHENSION
EXERCISES: using context.

Use the sentences below as
reading exercises  but they are also models and
samples for how to comprehend in conversation. (These are
exercise-types: Additional exercises can be constructed
according to these types  some of them by learners for
each other.)

You have guests:
Can you catch what each wants?
("skip-comprehension")

1. Per favore mi porti pollo,
se può.

2. Sarebbe il massimo poter
avere tè.

3. Si volesse essere
così gentile de mandare pane tostato.

Notice how, given the
context (they are asking for something), you dont have
to know all the words they say. This is a model for how you
can comprehend in a new language far beyond your vocabulary:
(1) use context; and (2) catch whatever you can, and guess
on the basis of that.